Recent fishing has been outstanding

BILL SABOFishing Columnist

Published Thursday, April 19, 2001

Can you believe that we are in the grip of yet another unseasonable cold spell; this on the tail of record heat? The good news is that we had a pretty good run before this chill set it, and it promises a quick exit.

It's hard to say enough about the fishing last week. There was just about everything at one time or another. The weak link was in the surf. As beautiful as it looked Sunday and Monday, there just wasn't much going on aside from a few whiting.

Cobia used to be a big event along First Coast during April. They're still a big event; there just aren't as many fish. The big ling made an appearance last week, following the northerly migration of the manta rays including one that allegedly weighed 70 pounds although the angler and weight could not be verified.

Unfortunately, most catches and sightings consisted of fish that were too small to keep, a scenario that is becoming increasingly common. Nevertheless, there were some nice catches reported.

Sue Glass (Devil's Elbow) said that Fred and Steve Miles each had a cob as well as hooking a few others. Marty Rowland (Captain Hook's) said that Rusty Russell and friends chased down a few, including a 40 pounder. Dennis Goldstein (Hook, Line and Sinker) reported that charter captain Whit Whitlock put his fares on a few last week, and a few were caught aboard the bottom boats.

The bottom boats had an outstanding week, consisting of the largest variety we have seen thus far this year. Big vermilion snapper (b-liners, redeyes) not only remained the staple they have been but were joined by very good catches of red snapper. Joining the fray were pink porgies, grouper, scamps, mangrove snapper and triggerfish.

The most unusual catches however, were reserved for a 100-pound cubera snapper that Dave Privett (Oldest City Bait and Tackle) said was brought in by Cliff Hall of Keystone Heights and the large bluefish that were hitting live baits in 140 feet of water.

Privett said that the cubera was caught in 90 feet.

Carl Pecora and Tommy Vaughan (Avid Angler) caught seven large blues while fishing the bottom for grouper and snapper. Most were about eight pounds, and the largest topped out at 11. They also had their limit of grouper.

There were large bluefish closer to shore at Matanzas where several people reported the choppers dining. Devil's Elbow weighed one that went eight pounds.

This was also the first week that Spanish mackerel were firmly entrenched in the area. Reports put them outside the inlet, to a lesser extent in the inlet, some in the feeder creeks and in the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW). Size was also mentioned as reasonable. George Zajewski (County Pier) also added Spanish mackerel and bluefish to his report. He said only a few small pompano were caught at the planks although he knew of some larger pomps caught along the beach. Dennis Goldstein noted that he saw pompano jumping in his wake during one of his rides through the St. Augustine Inlet area. Overall, however, reports on the fine tasting jack have not been good.

It was a good, albeit brief, bite of small drum near the rocks at the County Pier. Zajewski said they haven't been there steadily, but when they were, it was worth it. At least one angler had his limit of five. On the sensational scene, he said they have seen the largest sharks of the year. With all the reports of shark bites coming out of Volusia County, it's not surprising. Zajewski said some of the sharks were in the six and seven feet category. Most were considerably shorter.

Flounder time is about, but not on, us. Dennis Goldstein reported nice catches of the flatties coming from up the feeder creeks of North River during the start of the falling tide. He and his fares had 10 during one outing. There were also improved reports coming from Matanzas and the ICW in general.

Page Conroy (Mike's Place) also noted an increase in trout, reds and flounder coming through the shop.

The trout are a nice touch with size being primarily driven by spawn. Years ago I would write about gator trout at Matanzas Bridge in April and early May. I haven't heard much from there in recent years. Joe Hall's didn't come from there, but it did weigh eight and a half pounds when he brought it into Captain Hook's. Dennis Goldstein reported trolling up a few in the feeders to North River. He added that their size was never a question.

Susie Timmons (Sea Love) added that catches near the Vilano Pier at night have been decent for trout and bluefish.

At the St. Johns River, bass are starting to take second stage to bream as the spring progresses. Vicki Thoms (Pacetti's) said that Mike Monaicf and Eddy Hall were worth 62 in Trout Creek. Four-year-old Brian Ryan went over his age with five, and Chris and Terry Lee had 15. Danny Weaver tapped the creek for 14 bream, while Mike and Pam Parkinson relieved it of 10 more. Dave Dirden, T. Smith, Courtney Smith and Mike Price took the river proper for a pair of catfish, two trout and 11 croakers -- some of which weighed up to three pounds.

At Six Mile Creek, Margaret Tuttle reported Bill Jones and Ray Goss lightened the biomass of the creek by 20 bream and 10 catfish; likewise for Curtis Walker, who was good for 11 bream, five mullet and a catfish. She added that due to the heavy parking load for the restaurant, the ramp will be closed to boats on Saturday and Sunday. The problem is not putting in the boats, it's getting them out through the parking later in the day.

Ben Williams reported that trout catches, mixed with croakers, caught the interest of a number of boaters working the west channel of the river near Green Cove Springs.